Reverend David Warner, the Vicar of Mossley, explains the importance of coming together and rejoices in the success of the vaccine rollout.

This Sunday is Father’s Day - perhaps not a day with the great history of Mothering Sunday, but nonetheless an important occasion to thank our fathers, grandads, uncles, adoptive fathers, carers, and whoever it is who offers fatherly care to us, and also to remember all who have lost, or are unable to have children of their own.

It’s also perhaps another opportunity to get together with folk we haven’t seen for too long. We’re now six months into the vaccination programme here in Mossley that’s been based at the George Lawton Hall.

The system continues to be well organised, the staff swift, efficient and friendly - all in the best traditions of the National Health Service, which we so easily take for granted, but which does mind-blowing things every day.

I was pleased to receive my jabs when they came. The speed the vaccines have been developed has been astonishing, such is the expertise of those who’ve worked so hard to produce something that has such a capacity to give us back freedom, and perhaps even some peace of mind.

The immunisation programme is the most optimistic part of our fight to get free of coronavirus and the restrictions it puts on us.

Some say that the night is darkest just before the dawn breaks. Please God we’re nearly there.

Let’s stick together, support all who need us, and do what we can to make the fight easier, and prepare for the joy which will come.

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